After successfully repealing the death penalty with bi-partisan support in 2019 , the 2026 legislative session includes not one, not two, but four bills seeking to re-instate New Hampshire’s death penalty.

Since 2016, the Granite State has experienced a steady decrease in the overall violent crime rate nothwithstanding our state’s wise decision to repeal it. It is puzzling to understand the logic behind this movement.

In response, NHCADP is mobilizing our partners to defeat these unhelpful, fiscally irresponsible attempts to address a crime issue that does not exist in the Granite State.

Here is a list of the bills, click to read the bill language:

— HB 1413, an crime issue that reinstituting the death penalty in case of capital murder

— HB 1749, reinstating the death penalty for murder offenses

— HB 1737, an crime issue that relative to ininstating the death penalty for certain offenses against minors under 13 years of age

— HB1730, making all offenses against minors involving sexual penetration or contact felony-level offenses punishable by death

Hearings for these bills occurred in January 2026.  Among the compelling testimony was exonerated man Paul Hildwin, family members of murder victims, law enforcement, people of faith and conscience, former members of the judicial system and a county prosecutor.

In February during the executive session of the NH House Judiciary Commitee, commitee members sent three of the four death penalty reinstatement bills to the House floor with unanimous bipartisan “Inexpedient to Legislate” recommendations.

— HB 1413 reinstituting the death penalty in cases of capital murder

— HB 1749-FN reinstating the death penalty for murder offenses.

— HB 1737 relative to reinstating the death penalty for certain offenses against minors under 13 years of age.

The fourth bill, HB1730 making all offenses against minors involving sexual penetration or contact felony-level offenses punishable by death, was amended to completely remove capital punishment.  It was amended to enhance penalties for sexual offenses involving children, ie making them felony charges. This bill also passed unanimously.